National Leadership Program, Fall 2019
Israel Sanchez
Israel de Jesus Sanchez Carlos was a Nonprofit Management Fellow in RespectAbility’s National Leadership Program for Fall 2019. RespectAbility is a nonprofit organization fighting stigmas and advancing opportunities so that people with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of community.
Sanchez is finishing his last semester in Business Management Engineering for a bachelor’s degree at TESCo (Tecnologico de Estudios Superiores de Coacalco) in Mexico. During his time in the seventh semester, he participated in the Seventh National Meeting of Academic Groups by writing an article about a specific case of one of his classmates with cerebral palsy. During his research, he noted the lack of research, writing, public data and general interest on disability in Mexico.
Even though his academic major may not be highly relevant to people with disabilities, Sanchez is an idealist, who believes that everyone should have the chance of getting a good quality life no matter one’s social or economic distinction. Recognizing the fact that many people with disabilities do not have that chance, he decided to redirect his interest to create a more inclusive society.
In 2019, he decided to apply for an international scholarship, which led him to the Washington Center and then to RespectAbility. Sanchez hopes to help RespectAbility’s mission by creating more opportunities for people with disabilities through a state project that will promote different strategies to integrate students with disabilities in schools and universities and then in various industries.
Once he graduates, Sanchez hopes to fight the stigmas about people with disabilities, especially in industries as well as public institutions, not only to benefit from the public services, but also to be part of them. He wants to reduce the barriers that people with disabilities face in accessing education and jobs.
Sanchez’s plan for his future is to pursue another bachelor’s degree in Small and Medium Companies Management to help improve small communities and create programs to include people with disabilities. In Mexico, 72 percent of employment and 58 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) are generated by micro, small and medium companies.
In his free time, Sanchez enjoys reading science fiction and historical novels as well as constantly learning more about his major and successful experiences businesses have in integrating people with disabilities.
